Unlearning Silence to Unleash Talent: Elaine Lin Hering on Speaking Up and Leading Well

What if silence in your team meetings isn’t just about shyness or lack of ideas, but something everyone’s been taught—often unconsciously—to protect themselves or others? In this episode, I sit down with Elaine Lin Hering, a top facilitator, global educator, and author of “Unlearning Silence,” to dig into the roots of silence and how leaders can transform it into true engagement.

As the conversation kicks off, we tackle a fundamental leadership dilemma: despite constant encouragement to “speak up,” people often hold back. Why? Elaine reveals it’s not just about courage or confidence. Silence is a learned survival strategy, which is often shaped by culture, hierarchy, and even unconscious organizational habits. Her own story, growing up as the youngest daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, shows how silence sneaks in early and sticks.

Throughout the episode, we explore questions relating to real-world challenges such as how can you create a safe space for candor when your “resting face” or demeanour sets the wrong tone? Or, why do team members only give feedback after a decision is finalized. Elaine offers evidence-informed and practical answers to these situations.

The takeaway is clear: Strong leadership means recognizing that silence is not always golden—and that by unlearning it, we unlock deeper connection, better decisions, and a future not bound by the past.

What You’ll Learn

- Silence is learned… and it’s often unintentional.

- Unlearning silence is an ongoing process.

- Explicit clarity is critical for leaders.

- How to reframe your view of your voice.

- The mode and medium of communication matter.

- What is obvious to you may be the insight someone else is looking for.

Podcast Timestamps

(00:03) - The Origins of Unlearning Silence

(05:46) - The Process of Unlearning Silence

(09:10) - Agency and the Value of Voice

(15:59) - The RACI Framework

(19:16) - How Communication Mode and Process Influence Voice

(24:10) - Surfacing Feedback and Pre-Empting Silence

(32:08) - Imposter Syndrome or Imposter Treatment?

(41:47) - When Is Silence Golden?

(46:52) - Explicitly Creating Psychological Safety

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Feedback, Personal Growth, Leading with Intention, Unlearning silence, Employee Voice, Power Dynamics, Decision-Making Frameworks, RACI Model, Team Communication, Self-Silencing, Imposter Syndrome, Psychological Safety, Personal Growth, CEO Success